thank goodness for...

Thank goodness for Lisa, because I haven't done a shred of planning for this trip. She has done absolutely everything, from booking the flights, to researching the hostels, to booking the hostels, to planning the itinerary, to deciding where to go, when to go, how to go, etc...

It's been a real load off my back and I'm so glad that she's been willing to put the time and effort into it, because I haven't had the time, nor have I had the effort. Thanks baby!

With that said, I've been wanting to travel to Europe since I can remember, and the fact that I haven't had to even think about any of the the particulars will make it all the better.

3 more months to go... wow, that's really soon! Should I start packing?!?! nah... Lisa already covered that. hahaha.. just kidding!

I will see you across the Atlantic in 3 months Europe!

No more changes!

I spent the past few days looking through countless number of budget airlines and flights. I was going crazy going through all the permutations of flight times, costs, airlines, cities, etc.. Got very confused trying to get the cheapest flights for the days that I needed them! Finally, I made an executive decision and had to settle for one night in Brussels instead of two. That should be enough time for some mussels, chocolate and beer!

I'm very impressed with the number of budget airlines there are in Europe. And quite cheap!! Found a 3 hour flight from London to Venice for only $90cdn including taxes! Barely anything over $100! For sure there are probably cheaper ones out there. But I am quite happy with what I found..and I'm tired of searching..

Our itinerary is set!

[25 Aug 2007 - 28 Aug 2007] London, United Kingdom
[28 Aug 2007 - 30 Aug 2007] Venice, Italy
[30 Aug 2007 - 02 Sep 2007] Florence, Italy
[02 Sep 2007 - 05 Sep 2007] Cinque Terre, Italy
[05 Sep 2007 - 09 Sep 2007] Rome, Italy
[09 Sep 2007 - 12 Sep 2007] Budapest, Hungary
[12 Sep 2007 - 15 Sep 2007] Prague, Czech Republic
[15 Sep 2007 - 16 Sep 2007] Brussels, Belgium
[16 Sep 2007 - 19 Sep 2007] Amsterdam, Netherlands
[19 Sep 2007 - 25 Sep 2007] Paris, France

Keep them coming...

So based on some of your thoughts that I was staying in some places too long, I've decided to change our itinerary a little bit and add in Brussels. Thanks for the input guys and keep them coming!!

Here is our revised itinerary:
[25 Aug 2007 - 28 Aug 2007] London, United Kingdom (3 nights)
[28 Aug 2007 - 31 Aug 2007] Rome, Italy (3 nights)
[31 Aug 2007 - 03 Sep 2007] Florence, Italy (3 nights)
[03 Sep 2007 - 06 Sep 2007] Cinque Terre, Italy (3 nights)
[06 Sep 2007 - 08 Sep 2007] Venice, Italy (2 nights)
[08 Sep 2007 - 11 Sep 2007] Budapest, Hungary (3 nights)
[11 Sep 2007 - 14 Sep 2007] Prague, Czech Republic (3 nights)
[14 Sep 2007 - 17 Sep 2007] Amsterdam, Netherlands (3 nights)
[17 Aug 2007 - 19 Aug 2007] Brussels, Belgium (2 nights)
[19 Sep 2007 - 25 Sep 2007] Paris, France (6 nights)

We're really going!!!!

So after years of talking about it, Wes and I are finally going to see Europe together!

Our plan was to go in September to avoid the crowds and the hot weather. I had our basic itinerary planned a while ago, but kept procastinating on actually booking the airline tickets with our airmiles. When I finally called them yesterday, I was told there were no seats left at all! I asked her to look at any date cause I got desperate, and she said the only seats available were for mid October - which would have been too cold!!! There was absolutely nothing left, not in coach, or business class or anything! Then she proceeded to tell me that I should have called to book them a year in advance if I want to use points. I'm thinking..a year?? Who plans their vacation a year in advance! Needless to say I was peeved, mostly at myself for waiting so long to book.

Anyway, so I hung up the phone and I thought, hmm, I'll apply 'the secret' (don't laugh I know you're laughing). So I imagined that Wes and I were sitting comfortably in the plane on our way to London. And an hour after my first attempt, I decided to call them again to see if I could get seats. And voila!! I got seats!! (see Wes, 'the secret' does work! you should watch it with me) happy happy happy!

So, here is our tentative itinerary. I'm still trying to decide how long we should stay at each place, and whether or not we should squeeze in another city. Hopefully some of you will be able to come and spend a day or two with us sometime in between our trip! Amsterdam anyone??

We are going for 33 days:
[25 Aug 2007 - 28 Aug 2007] London, United Kingdom (3 nights)
[28 Aug 2007 - 01 Sep 2007] Rome, Italy (4 nights)
[01 Sep 2007 - 04 Sep 2007] Florence, Italy (3 nights)
[04 Sep 2007 - 07 Sep 2007] Cinque Terre, Italy (3 nights)
[07 Sep 2007 - 09 Sep 2007] Venice, Italy (2 nights)
[09 Sep 2007 - 12 Sep 2007] Budapest, Hungary (3 nights)
[12 Sep 2007 - 16 Sep 2007] Prague, Czech Republic (4 nights)
[16 Sep 2007 - 19 Sep 2007] Amsterdam, Netherlands (3 nights)
[19 Sep 2007 - 25 Sep 2007] Paris, France (6 nights)